AJGA Blog

Brad Dalke: Final test day

By Brad Dalke, AJGA member

Well, if you need a rules question answered, you can count on me 60 percent of the time!  That is the score I got on my final test. It was a very long four days but it was well worth it. The test was very, very tough and it took me over three hours to finish it. Actually, a 60 is not bad for a first-year guy. Right after the test I was hoping for a 50 - that is just how tough it was!

It was worth spending part of my Spring Break at the rules school.  I met a lot of great people and I learned a lot of rules that will help me when I compete. I didn't beat my mom's first-year score but maybe I will next year. I hope I can go back!

Brad Dalke: Tomorrow is the day

Today was our third and last day of classroom instruction for PGA-USGA Rules of Golf Workshop. A lot of lecturing but both instructors told interesting stories and have worked as officials on the PGA Tour. They shared a lot of rules stories about guys we watch play every week. The good one was when Jim Deaton, one of our instructors, was starting play back up and he told Tom Watson to drop his ball to resume play. The rule had changed to placing your ball after a suspension. While hurrying to get play restarted, Mr. Deaton told Tom Watson to drop instead of place when he should have placed the ball. Fortunately for Watson, the official's word is good so no penalty!

We have watched some great videos from the tours as well. Watching Jason Day take his interesting lateral water hazard drop on the opposite side at the Byron Nelson was talked about. I'm really learning a lot. I learned that you can grip the club with a towel around the grip. It seems like you wouldn't be able to do that but they said its "traditional," so it's allowed.

Tomorrow is the official test and it is going to be VERY tough. I hope I can just get a 70. I first wanted a 100, then a 75. Now I think a 70 would be awesome and it would still beat my mom's first-year score! I did have one shock today. We were going over Rule 34 which talks about disputes and decisions, and I think I found myself and our own AJGA rules official Mr. Supernaw in the USGA Decisions book! Check out Decision 34-3/3.5. I had that exact thing happen to me it at the AJGA Goodman Networks Junior at Traditions. Luckily it was no penalty! Mr. Supernaw was helping me with a procedure and I misunderstood what he said. I picked up my ball when I was not allowed to but he did not call a penalty stroke on me because he knew that I had not completely understood his instructions.

Tomorrow is the best day. Last minute cram session is at 7:00 a.m. and the scary test is from 8 - 11:30. We then get to grade it. I will give you my grade tomorrow. Off to some last minute cramming and a good night's sleep, I hope!

Brad

Brad Dalke: Learning about a game I love

Brad Dalke of McKinney, Texas, is an AJGA member participating in the USGA Rules of Golf Workshop in Dallas and blogging about his experience along the way.

Day 1

At lunch after the morning session there are around 120 people are here including committee members with the USGA, Texas Golf Association Directors and many rules’ officials from all over the country.  Puerto Rico representatives are even here and several PGA tour officials.  I am drinking Dr. Pepper to keep me awake because we are listening a lot.  We talked about Rule 1 and 13.  I need to know this stuff.  The more they talk the more I realize I do know a lot but not all of it. Only two junior golfers are here.  More should be here.  In fact, why aren't pro golfers or their caddies here? This is important stuff! One thing that I learned is that you can set extra clubs in the bunker while you hit your shot. This feels a lot like school but it is better because I'm learning about a subject in a game that I love!

Day 2

I'm almost halfway through the second day of rules school. We went over dropping and placing golf balls for about an hour and I really felt like going to sleep right in the middle of it. My plan is just to never get into any of these positions that they talk to us about. I'm just going to hit fairways and greens; or at least try to! I did learn something though when you mark your ball on the putting green, and then put the ball down without picking your mark up, the ball is still in play. So, if you kick a ball that has your mark behind it still, you will get a penalty. You can even putt with the mark behind it. Well, I need to get back to listening to rules for a couple of hours so I'm out.

Brad

Brad Dalke: Benefits of knowing the rules

Brad Dalke of McKinney, Texas, is an AJGA member participating in the USGA Rules of Golf Workshop in Dallas and blogging about his experience along the way.

My mom is a PGA-USGA Rules Official and a high school golf coach, so I sure understand the benefits of knowing the rules of golf!  For several years she has talked about me going to the USGA Rules Workshop and that time has finally arrived!  I agreed when I found out one of my junior golf friends, Chase Fritz, was going to go with his dad. 

Today we start the four-day rules school in Dallas. I have heard from my mom and others that it is really tough.  I took the practice test the USGA gives us and breezed through it!  While taking it; I told my mom it was pretty easy.  Then I hit the SCORE button and I found out I only got a 60%. 

All that stuff about Player A and Player B and A hits an incorrectly substituted ball, or was it a wrong ball from the wrong place - oh my goodness!  I don't know what I have gotten myself into!  I just want to be really confident about the five options for a lateral water hazard. 

My mom made me study with her last night.  Our study session took me away from killing zombies on COD Black Ops.  I feel confident that I would have done better killing zombies than I did in the study session. 

The rules are pretty tough and pretty complicated, but I have to admit, I like trying to figure them out.  I also know that knowing the rules will make me a better and more confident player. 

My goal for the school is to beat my mom's first year score from 2007.  I was thinking of aiming a lot higher than her mediocre score of 69 (she tells me that she was in the top 1/3 of the class - hard to believe that), but after our study sessions this week - I wouldn't mind a score of 75.  That would beat her first year!  She does want me to tell you that she has scored a 92 and 95 in the last two years.  My big goal is to beat her, but that may have to wait a few years! So I am off to the golf course to get in some practice.  My next tournament is the AJGA Goodman Networks Junior at Tradition, Bryan, Texas in April. 

Until there's more...Brad

An interview to last a lifetime

#AJGAIRW was “talk of the tweets” weeks, days and hours before candidates came in for AJGA Intern Recruiting Weekend. Full-time staff, intern candidates and those who previously participated in the weekend-long interview process flooded the AJGA’s social media networks. #AJGAIRW became a topic of conversation throughout the entire weekend. Candidates from all over the country were able to use their #AJGAIRW tweets to “break the ice” and meet one another. It was a fantastic way to start the weekend.

Exactly a year ago, I went through the same process as all the IRW candidates. I can vividly remember how nervous I was walking through the doors of the AJGA National Headquarters and shaking Executive Director Stephen Hamblin’s hand. Fortunately, that feeling went away as the full-time AJGA staff went above and beyond to make every candidate feel welcome and deserving of their trip down to Braselton, Ga.

In his second year as a guest speaker Mr. Bill Hughes, General Manager of TPC Sawgrass, a.k.a the Reverend, spoke after dinner Friday night. At this time last year I realized just how badly I wanted to be a part of the AJGA family. For me this year I realized how fortunate I am to have accomplished that goal. Mr. Hughes referenced ‘winning’ in his speech to let each candidate know that they had already won by making it to the weekend. He was spot on as these individuals were the best of the best. Each will go on to succeed regardless of whether or not they become AJGA interns.

The weekend tested candidates physically, mentally and emotionally. They were given a peek into the life of an AJGA intern throughout the weekend. Written tests, public speaking, interviews and team-building activities were all thrown at the candidates to find out more about their skills and character. Minus the 45-minute traditional interviews each candidate experiences, this weekend is like no other hiring process out there. Each candidate left the weekend having learned a great deal not only about the AJGA, but also about themselves. Candidates will be able to reflect on the tasks they completed, reference the qualified speakers and use the feedback given to them by full-time staff to better themselves personally and professionally. As all of the candidates have made it home safely and are awaiting the outcome, it’s important to note that while some candidates will make it, all of them have #AJGAIRW to look back on.

Blog post by Scott Geary, Tournament Coordinator with the American Junior Golf Association

Reflecting on IRW

As the AJGA’s Intern Recruiting Weekend came to a close, invitees were asked to share their thoughts about experiences had and lessons learned:

“From the time I walked into the building I felt like I was at home—the front porch, warm smiles, welcomes and of course the food. It was an experience because no other job seeker or interviewer has treated me like the AJGA did this weekend. I was treated like family.

This was the greatest testament to the organization because if they treated potential interns like family, I knew that the people they served and employed were treated even better.”

- SYDNEY BRUNELLE

“The amount of impressive people in one place is unimaginable.  The energy in the room is contagious, even after a 10-hour day.  After leaving IRW, potential interns not only know what makes the AJGA so special, they know a little more about themselves.  Being in front of people who have completely different backgrounds and experiences helps you find out what makes you so special.  Every single person in the building has some spark that makes them stand out.  I can confidently say that no matter which people get chosen for the job, the future of the AJGA is in great hands.” 

- MORGAN SEELEY

“There’s no better way to meet someone for the first time than to greet them with a yawn and pretend you weren’t just sleeping as they walk through the hotel door.

When I received confirmation that I would be attending the AJGA Intern Recruiting Weekend, I wanted to make sure I couldn’t possibly slip up before I got to Georgia. I booked my flight early. Like crack-of-dawn early. Even though we didn’t need to be in Braselton until 4:00 p.m. or so, I signed up for the first trip out of St. Louis, Mo., at 7:20 a.m.

I got to the hotel with almost five hours to spare (better early than late, right?). After eating lunch two hours earlier than I usually do, an AJGA staff member suggested a nap. God bless his soul. Once you sign on with the AJGA, sleep is like a third-cousin. Always appreciated. Rarely seen.”

- CALEB BARRON

“As I boarded my flight at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport this past Friday, I knew it was going to be a great weekend. Why, you ask? Because someone once told me that if you sit next to a crying baby on a flight then you will have good luck. If that’s the case, then I’m going to win the lottery.

If I had to take one thing away from this amazing weekend, it would be the need to put yourself out in the open, even if you’re not comfortable. By doing this I was able to talk to people that work for the AJGA, are applying for the AJGA or are notable people in successful companies.”

- JAMES MILLARD

“Chasing dreams – a common theme around the AJGA office. Many of the golf industry’s best leaders have come through this association, chasing their dreams. The AJGA’s internship program hosted its annual Intern Recruiting Weekend this past weekend and afforded nearly 100 potential interns the opportunity to chase their dreams.

The benefits from this weekend – whether or not one is chosen for an internship – are numerous. From job search advice, to team building activities and leadership skills sharpening, anyone who leaves here with anything less than a new outlook on their goals did not listen closely enough.”

-STEPHANIE DITTMER

Fourth time’s a charm for Hak

The Club at Carlton Woods has hosted the HP Boys Championship since 2009, and Shun Yat Hak has been a part of all four. He’s the only player that can make that claim, and he capped his final appearance Monday with a tournament-clinching 69.

He is the third straight high school senior to capture the title (Bobby Wyatt, 2010; Jordan Spieth, 2011), and reminisced about what he learned from playing with so many great players over the years.

“With the way Jordan hit it last year, he also made a lot of putts. I was inside of him every time, but he always made it first and I missed mine,” said Hak, who played with Spieth in the final pairing of 2011. “This year what I did great was I made a couple more putts, maybe more than other people, and I hit some good iron shots and managed myself really well.”

Hak compiled a scoring average of 72.58 in 12 rounds at The Club at Carlton Woods, with his 3-under-par 69 being a career best.

“I wish I could never graduate high school because I really want to play this tournament every year. Thank you to the volunteers and all the sponsors because I think this is the best tournament on the AJGA,” he said.

- Written by Chris Richards, AJGA Communications

Behind the Scenes

What are the inner workings of a nonprofit office? Does the AJGA really incorporate all seven departments into their daily routine? The answer is simple…yes. 

Doing an in-house internship with the AJGA is an opportunity to interact on a professional and personal level with all of the staff. You are able to be a part of the “behind the scenes” in order to make the 90+ events successful on the road. You’re not getting coffee for the staff, you’re not being an office assistant. Instead you are actively working on projects and tasks that move the needle for the AJGA. There are five departments looking to provide five in-house internship opportunities as listed below.

· Player Services allows you to connect with each member (players and parents alike) on a personal level and helping them navigate the world of junior golf.

· Sponsorship you are activating, promoting and renewing sponsorships with companies that support the AJGA.

· Finance you are monitoring budgets and processing the finances of the company.

· Communications you are writing about events, designing materials to promote the AJGA’s schedule, and showcasing the success of the players on the website, Facebook and Twitter.

· IT you are actively working with each department and creating databases that aid in daily tasks.

Each department weaves in and out with one another to build the solid foundation of the AJGA’s mission of developing golf’s next generation, and you could be part of it!

Full job descriptions of each position along with dates and detailed information can be found at www.ajga.org/careers. The deadline for the in-house internship is February 24.

 

-Blog by Lauren Shelly, Manager of Recruiting and Special Events

HP Boys champ Spieth lands at top of college rankings

On Feb. 21, 2011, Jordan Spieth concluded his AJGA career with a win at the HP Boys Championship at Carlton Woods.  On Feb. 6, 2012, less than one year after his final AJGA appearance, Spieth moved into the No. 1 spot in the Men’s Collegiate Individual Golfweek / Sagarin Rankings.

For those counting, that’s 350 days.

Pretty quick turnaround for the Dallas native and University of Texas freshman, I’d say. With the collegiate season in full swing, Spieth has quickly cemented his place in college golf, and that place is at the top.

With his 2011 win at the HP Boys Championship
at Carlton Woods, Spieth added his name -
and a banner - to an illustrious list of past champions
including Tiger Woods, Kyle Stanley and Rickie Fowler.

As a junior, Spieth saw the top of the charts as well. He was named the Rolex Junior Player of the Year in 2009 and was a first-team Rolex Junior All-America selection three consecutive years (2008-2010), in part due to his strong play at the HP Boys Championship at Carlton Woods during that time.

Spieth is also ranked No. 2 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, second to UCLA’s Patrick Cantlay, another AJGA alum who had success at the HP Boys Championship at Carlton Woods. Cantlay finished fourth at the event in 2010, his final AJGA tournament.

Both Spieth and Cantlay are teeing it up at the PGA TOUR’s Northern Trust Open this week. Next year, that could be any of the 78 juniors competing at Carlton Woods this week. For those 78, the future is bright and the sky is limit. The road to success, however, winds through The Club at Carlton Woods’ Fazio Championship Course, or at least it did for Jordan Spieth.

-Written by Ashley O'Dell, AJGA Communications

The results are in

After one intense week of becoming students of the game, the AJGA staff has proudly returned to Atlanta following our PGA/USGA Rules Workshop with some newfound knowledge and a lot less stress.

My last post gave you a little taste of what we were going through in preparation for our final exam last Thursday, now it is time to brag a little bit on what we accomplished.

The ultimate goal of the exam is to score a 92 out of the possible 100 points on the exam, which gives that individual the highest possible certification from the PGA and USGA. Amazingly, the 20 full-time AJGA staff was able to average the coveted 92, which is only achieved by a small percentage of attendees at these workshops.

Two staff members enjoyed an extra-special week in Houston. Senior Tournament Director Tommy Tangtiphaiboontana was able to join the AJGA’s “One Hundred Club” for the first time, and Tournament Director Annie Giangrosso went “back-to-back” and secured 100 for the second consecutive year.

In all, four new staff members passed for the first time bringing the staff-wide total to 29 certified rules officials, including 15 tournament directors.

Regardless of the individual results, we all have learned a ton over the last two months and are prepared for the upcoming season. When you find yourself in a sticky situation this year, be sure to track down the nearest AJGA Rules official to get you back in the game!

Till next year…

-Blog by Casey Ceman, AJGA Tournament Director